Goats In Cyprus Research Articles

Isolation and analysis of tetracycline-resistant Mycoplasma agalactiae strains from an infected goat herd in Cyprus — short communication

A major concern with the use of tetracycline against mycoplasmas is the development of resistance. Infections in small ruminants due to tetracyclineresistant Mycoplasma agalactiae strains are becoming a frequent problem worldwide. In the present paper the detection and analysis of three tetracycline-resistant M. agalactiae strains, isolated from infected goats in Cyprus, are reported. The three field isolates were identified as M. agalactiae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showing 98% identity to the M. agalactiae PG2 reference strain. Furthermore, they were found sensitive to tylosin, enrofloxacin, spiramycin and lincomycin. In contrast, they were resistant to tetracycline. None of the putative genes [tet(M), tet(O) and tet(S)] that commonly contribute to high-level resistance to tetracycline could be amplified from their genome. Contrarily, the field isolates were found to carry ISMag1, an insertion sequence related to the IS30 family of mobile elements. Although ISMag1 is widely believed to induce high-frequency chromosomal rearrangements resulting in phenotypic changes of microorganisms, its potential role in tetracycline resistance of mycoplasmas requires further studies.

Scientific and technical assistance on the provisional results of the study on genetic resistance to Classical scrapie in goats in Cyprus

Scientific and technical assistance on the provisional results of the study on genetic resistance to Classical scrapie in goats in Cyprus

Human Anaplasmosis andAnaplasma ovisVariant

Human Anaplasmosis and<i>Anaplasma ovis</i>Variant

PrP gene polymorphisms in Cyprus goats and their association with resistance or susceptibility to natural scrapie

In contrast to scrapie in sheep, the genetic basis of susceptibility to scrapie in goats is not well understood. To study the association of prion protein (PrP) alleles with susceptibility to scrapie in goats in Cyprus, the coding sequence of the caprine PrP gene was determined in 717 goats, including 218 scrapie positive animals. Several novel polymorphisms were detected, such as a novel octarepeat variant and a stop codon mutation. Amino acids at codons 146 and 154 were associated with susceptibility to goat scrapie. Animals heterozygous for serine (S) and aspartate (D) at codon 146 were significantly under-represented in scrapie positive animals and no positive animals were found that were homozygous for these amino acids at codon 146. These results might provide the basis for genetic control of scrapie in Cypriot goats.

Prevalence ofAnaplasmasp. in Goats and Sheep in Cyprus

A seroprevalence study of Anaplasma infection was conducted in a stratified random sample of goats and sheep in Cyprus in which the sample locations were recorded using a geographical information system (GIS). The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and other Anaplasma species in sheep and goats, and to identify high-risk regions. A total of 689 serum samples (343 from sheep and 346 from goats) were randomly collected and tested for the detection of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum antigen using an indirect immunofluorescent assay. The polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing analysis was used for the detection and molecular characterization of Anaplasma sp DNA in the blood samples. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum antigen was 18% for goats, and 31% for sheep. Six new genotypes were detected in goats and sheep; by sequence analysis one was identified as A. phagocytophilum, one as Anaplasma platys and the remaining four as Anaplasma species. The results provide evidence for the presence of A. phagocytophilum and Anaplasma species in sheep and goats in Cyprus.

Statement on a protocol for additional data collection based on the EFSA recommendations about resistance to scrapie in goats in Cyprus

Statement on a protocol for additional data collection based on the EFSA recommendations about resistance to scrapie in goats in Cyprus

Scrapie in goats in Cyprus

Ovine scrapie was first recorded in Cyprus in 1985. Subsequently four dairy goats kept in two mixed flocks with affected sheep developed characteristic clinical signs similar to those seen in sheep. Fifteen goats from the two flocks were examined histologically and neurological lesions consistent with a diagnosis of scrapie were found in the four animals and in three others which had subsequently developed early neurological signs. These lesions were similar to those of naturally-affected sheep although neuronal degeneration and vacuolation were more severe in some cases.

The Control of Enzootic Abortion in Sheep and Goats in Cyprus

Enzootic abortion was manifested in Cyprus in groups of abortions in sheep and goats. Abortion, from all causes, on the island in ewes and goats is normally 2 to 5% of pregnancies. Enzootic abortion accounts for 3 to 14% of the above proportion. Compulsory vaccination was implemented in 1975 and so far a reduction of over 70% in enzootic abortion has been noted.

Brucellosis in sheep and goats in Cyprus

In Cyprus there are 260,000 sheep and 200,000 goats. In 1966 a micro-organism which was isolated from an aborted goat was considered as belonging to the genus Brucella. The presence of brucellosis, however, was not confirmed until 1970 when bacteria isolated from two aborted sheep were definitely typed as Brucella melitensis. It is believed that the disease was introduced in the 1960s with importation of goats. In a survey carried out in 1970, 42 infected flocks were found in 21 villages. In 1971 the Complement Fixation Test was used to test about 10,600 sheep and goats from all over the island. Results indicated that the percentage of infected individuals in Brucella positive flocks was low, i.e. about 5% and that the incidence in sheep was lower than in goats. In 1972, the Allergic Skin Test was used intrapalpebrally in the 250 known infected flocks from 48 areas totalling about 74,000 sheep and goats. If a flock harboured reactors to the AST all individuals were bled and examined serologically in order to confirm the reliability of the AST as a screening test. It was concluded that the AST was reliable in screening infected from non-infected flocks. The campaign was launched full-scale in 1973. All the island's sheep and goats were screened with the AST. Reacting flocks were bled and the sera examined at the Veterinary Department's Public Health Laboratory, using the Serum Agglutination Test and the Complement Fixation Test. The campaign is still being continued. The following measures are being taken: • — Confiscation of infected animals and subsequent slaughter with a compensatory bonus of 65% of the estimated breeding value of the animal to the owner. • — Disinfection of the infected pens. • — Restricting the movement of infected flocks. • — Obligatory reporting of abortions and deaths. • — Prohibition of sale for breeding purposes of individuals from infected flocks. • — Retesting of infected flocks every month until no infected animal is detected for three consecutive months. Subsequently, the flock is tested every two months. If no infected individuals are detected the flock is declared ‘clean’. Of course there is legal backing to all measures of the campaign. In 1973 the island-wide level of infection in sheep was 0.75% and in goats 1.54%. By 1978 these levels dropped to 0.06% in both species. It is evident that the level of infection has dropped substantially and this is a proof that the method used, i.e. test and slaughter, is effective. Thus, prospects for total eradication are well-founded.

Abortion in sheep and goats in Cyprus

Abortion in sheep and goats in Cyprus

Abortion in sheep and goats in Cyprus caused by Coxiella burneti.

Abortion in sheep and goats in Cyprus caused by Coxiella burneti.

Notes on the goat warble fly,Przhevalskiana aegagriBrauer, 1863, in Cyprus

Summary 264 larvae and two eggs of the goat warble fly were collected in 1970, 1971 and 1972. Culture of larvae on various media in the laboratory was unsuccessful. Some mature third instar larvae pupated naturally and 13 flies eventually emerged. A description is given of the eggs, which are unlike any others so far described, and a description of a pupa that developed from a larva identified as P. aegagri is also given. Warbles were seen in goats from early October to early March. Pupation lasted between 45 and 76 days, but nearly all flies emerged in mid-April during a period of warm weather. The two eggs were collected from goats in the field towards the end of April. Larvae and flies were identified as P. aegagri, P. silenus and P. crossii according to descriptions given in the literature, but larvae that were identified as one species gave rise to flies that were identified as another species. Larvae with different characteristics were collected on occasions from the same flock at the same time. It is concluded that the criteria given in the literature for separating the species are inadequate. Provided the description of the eggs of P. crossii is correct, then Grunin's decision to synonymise the three species must be wrong, because the eggs found on goats in Cyprus were distinctly different from the eggs of P. crossii. If synonymy is accepted, then there must be yet another species present in Cyprus.

A helminth survey of sheep and goats in Cyprus. I. The seasonal distribution and prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites.

889 complete alimentary tracts were examined for helminths during a two-year survey of sheep and goats in Cyprus. Faecal samples were also examined for worm eggs.The most common parasites found were Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus spp. and a list of all the parasites and their prevalence is given.Bunostomum trigonoceplialum, Parabronema skrjabini and Skrjabinema ovis were found for the first time in Cyprus.The infection rate of each of the worms was studied and the results showed that most of the worms followed the same general pattern, having a peak in the spring and another in the autumn, separated by a trough during the hot dry summer period, when the infection rate yvas low. There were variations within this pattern, Trichostrongylus spp. having a spring peak that was more pronounced than the autumn peak. The reverse occurred with Ostertagia, Chabertia and Oesophagostomum spp., which had a more pronounced autumn peak than spring peak and a lower rate of infection in the summer.Variations in the infection rate were also noted between the two years of study.The reasons for these variations are discussed and it appears that weather has some influence on the timing and duration of the peaks but that other factors must also be involved. It is suggested that with some species inhibition of development of the immature stages may occur over the hot dry period, and that these immature worms resume their development towards the end of summer.A similarity was noticed between the seasonal distribution of the different worm species in Cyprus and in the winter rainfall areas of Australia.

A helminth survey of sheep and goats in Cyprus. II. Age distribution and the severity of infection with gastro-intestinal parasites.

889 alimentary tracts from sheep and goats were examined for worms during 1970 and 1971.The severity of infection with each of the worm species is discussed and it is concluded that infections with Ostertagia spp. and Trichostrongylus spp. are the most important and that Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum and Chabertia ovina are of secondary importance.The animals were divided into different age groups and a study was made of the severity of mixed infections in each group. The point system adopted by Parnell et al. (1954) was used for the study.The most unexpected finding was that lambs and kids under 8 months old rarely suffered from infections of any significance. Infections built up slowly after that age. It was therefore presumed that animals remained vulnerable to infections at a much later age than in other countries.Infections that might cause sub-clinical disease were seen in 31% of all animals and heavier infections were seen in 20% of the animals. This was considered a conservative estimate and shows the importance of gastro-intestinal parasites in sheep and goats in Cyprus.Adult sheep appeared to be more heavily infected than goats, although some differences in animal husbandry between the two may have contributed to this.From this study of age distribution, it was found that the autumn peak in the infection rate was not caused by the infection of young animals, which remained low at this time of the year.

Contagious Abortion of Sheep and Goats in Cyprus

Summary An outbreak of contagious abortion in sheep and goats in Cyprus is described. The causal organism is apparently closely allied to the strains of Bact. abortus ovis isolated in England. The association of goats with an outbreak of this nature is reported, possibly for the first time. Abortion can easily be produced in sheep and goats by artificial infection with the organism. In one small experiment two inoculations of formalised culture appeared to give complete protection against a subsequent dose of live culture, a similar dose of live culture producing abortion in a control ewe.,

A new Species of Warble-fly (Diptera—Family Tachinidae, Subfamily Hypoderminae, Genus Hypoderma), which attacks Goats in Cyprus

Adult insects belonging to the genus Hypoderma, all species of which in their larval stages are parasitic in Ungulates, fall naturally into two groups. In the first of these, represented by Hypoderma bovis, De G., H. lineatum, Vill., and H. diana, Br., the body is conspicuously hairy, and the dorsum of the main portion of the thorax (scutum) is marked with a series of shining black, raised stripes or longitudinal wheals. In the second group, to which belong H. silenus, Br., H. crossi, Patton, H. corinnae, Crivelli, and doubtless also H. aegagri, Br., the hairy covering of the body is sparser and less noticeable, and the dorsum of the thorax is devoid of the markings just mentioned. The species to be described below forms an addition to the second group.